Abstract: Methods and apparatus for approximation using polynomial functions are disclosed. In one embodiment, a processor comprises decoding and execution circuitry. The decoding circuitry is to decode an instruction, where the instruction comprises a first operand specifying an output location and a second operand specifying a plurality of data element values to be computed. The execution circuitry is to execute the decoded instruction. The execution includes to compute a result for each of the plurality of data element values using a polynomial function to approximate a complex function, where the computation uses coefficients stored in a lookup location for the complex function, and where data element values within different data element value ranges use different sets of coefficients. The execution further includes to store results of the computation in the output location.

Abstract: Technologies are presented directed to smart attachment of cloud-based files to communications such as email. A communication service may determine and select automatically between local and cloud versions of synchronized files allowing the recipient of the message to receive a version of the file regardless of whether the sender is offline or online when the attachment was made and in a user-friendly manner to the sender through a single representation.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical container includes a cylindrical hollow container body defining a hollow chamber to receive a pharmaceutical liquid, the container body including a portion on a sidewall) of the container body, wherein the portion has a longitudinal extension along the longitudinal axis of the container body and a circumferential extension along the circumference of the container body, thereby forming a window through the sidewall of the container body into the hollow chamber. In embodiments of the invention, the window comprises two long edges and two short edges, and a Near Field Communication (NFC) antenna. In embodiments of the invention, the antenna comprises one or a plurality of nested antenna windings.

Abstract: A probiotic formulation is provided including one or more bacteria, bacterial strains or bacterial species of the genus Veillonella, genus Faecalibacterium, genus Phascolarctobacteria, genus Oscillospira, genus Ruminococcus, genus Bacteroides, genus Blautia, family Christensenellaceae, genus Dialister, or phylum cyanobacteria.

Abstract: Methods for non-invasive prenatal paternity testing are disclosed herein. The method uses genetic measurements made on plasma taken from a pregnant mother, along with genetic measurements of the alleged father, and genetic measurements of the mother, to determine whether or not the alleged father is the biological father of the fetus. This is accomplished by way of an informatics based method that can compare the genetic fingerprint of the fetal DNA found in maternal plasma to the genetic fingerprint of the alleged father.

Abstract: A method of fabricating microstructures of polar elastomers includes coating a substrate with a dielectric material including a polar elastomer, coating the dielectric material with a photoresist, exposing the photoresist to ultraviolet (UV) light through a photomask to define a pattern on the photoresist, developing the photoresist to form the pattern on the photoresist, etching the dielectric material to transfer the pattern from the photoresist to the dielectric material, and removing the photoresist from the patterned dielectric material.

Abstract: A foil for a towed cable includes a body defining at least two conduits. The body has a foil shape having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The foil shape defines a first surface extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge configured to provide lift. The foil shape defines a second surface opposed to the first surface extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The foil shape defines first and second lateral sides that extend between respective lateral edges of the first and second surfaces, the leading edge, and the trailing edge. A first conduit is defined within the forward half of the body adjacent to the leading edge, is open to each of the first and second lateral sides, and is configured to receive a cable therethrough. A second conduit may be defined within the body and filled with buoyant material.

Abstract: The technology disclosed herein enables a call to be immediately reconnected to the same agent of a contact center after the agent has been disconnected while the caller remains connected to the contact center. A method provides determining that a first agent system, operated by a first agent of the contact center, has been disconnected from a communication session between the first agent system and a first caller system, operated by a first caller, due to a non-recoverable error. The first caller system remains connected to the contact center. The method further provides generating identification information that identifies the communication session and generating a link to join the communication session that includes the identification information. The method also provides transferring the link to a second agent system operated by the first agent. The second agent system is connected to the communication session when the second agent system follows the link.

Abstract: Systems and methods for instituting redistribution of wireless clients to improve service, comprising via access point (AP), multiple APs acting in concert, and/or a central entity, in connection with a network, allowing a client to associate; deciding that an associated client should be redistributed based on a connection metric, wherein the decision is based on at least one of, a probability calculation, network metric and a threshold comparison; and via the AP, sending the associated client a trigger, wherein the trigger is at least one of, a redistribution request and a disconnect message.

Abstract: A vacuum storage system (40) for storing an article, comprises a sealable outer chamber (30) and a sealable inner chamber (20). The sealable outer chamber (30) has an evacuation valve (21) for connection to a suction device (48) for evacuation of said outer chamber (30). The sealable inner chamber (20) is adapted to receive said article and has a one-way valve (13) in communication with the outer chamber (30). The one-way valve (13) is adapted to open upon the application of suction to the outer chamber (30), thereby to enable evacuation of said inner chamber (20), but to close upon discontinuation of said suction.

Abstract: An automated, secured package, delivery system which provides simultaneous confirmation to the purchaser and shipper, and possesses a remote locking/unlocking feature whereby delivery of the shipped item and retrieval thereof, can be effected. When an item is delivered to a purchaser of the item, a confirmation of the delivery and the status of the item is sent to each of the purchaser and a shipper of the item over a network. Remote locking and unlocking of a component accessible by the purchaser over the network is provided, which can be locked upon delivery of the item, and unlocked by the purchaser when desired to access the item.

Abstract: A gateway device providing and managing interactive user voice-controlled home automation services over at least endpoint devices associated with the gateway device is described. Interfaces enable communications of the gateway device with at least one endpoint device located within a user premises and data networks. A processor coupled to the interfaces and programming in storage in the server operate a communications program for configuring the gateway to communicate with endpoint devices, associate endpoint devices with the gateway, and communicate with a remote serve to access service management center applications. A home automation control program provides operation via a home automation controller configured in the gateway with voice automation messaging protocols based on the voice commands to enable interactive voice-controlled control of endpoint devices using voice commands and automate functions associated with the endpoint devices.

Abstract: Novel and useful electronic and magnetic control of several quantum structures that provide various control functions. An electric field provides control and is created by a voltage applied to a control terminal. Alternatively, an inductor or resonator provides control. An electric field functions as the main control and an auxiliary magnetic field provides additional control on the control gate. The magnetic field is used to control different aspects of the quantum structure. The magnetic field impacts the spin of the electron by tending to align to the magnetic field. The Bloch sphere is a geometrical representation of the state of a two-level quantum system and defined by a vector in x, y, z spherical coordinates.

Abstract: An injection device comprises a dose selector, rotatable by a user to set a dose to be ejected from the injection device and a drive assembly including a drive shaft (140) and a plunger element (145), the drive assembly being capable of providing an axial force for ejecting a dose of medicament from a medicament container. A dose limit nut (141) is provided which is rotationally coupled to but not axially coupled to said drive shaft. The plunger element is threaded so that the dose limit nut is engaged with said plunger element via said thread, in order to guide relative axial movement between the dose limit nut and the plunger element. The dose limit nut is provided with dose limiting endstops which are capable of limiting axial travel of said dose limit nut with respect to said plunger element, so as to limit maximum and minimum doses of medicament which can be set by the user.

Abstract: A partially perforated assembly includes a perforated film layer, a perforated adhesive layer applied to one side of said film layer, a non-perforated overlaminate film layer on the other side of said perforated film layer, and a release liner on the side of said perforated adhesive layer remote from said perforated film layer. When the release liner is removed and the remaining layers of the assembly are applied to a substrate, the remaining layers of the assembly comprise a void network. The void network fluidly interconnects at least two discrete perforation holes in the perforated film and adhesive layers with each other and/or the ambient environment around the assembly so as to facilitate air communication among the holes and/or between the holes and the ambient environment.

Abstract: Spinal interbody cages are provided that include a bulk interbody cage, a top face, a bottom face, pillars, and slots. The pillars are for contacting vertebral bodies. The slots are to be occupied by bone of the vertebral bodies and/or by bone of a bone graft. The spinal interbody cage has a Young's modulus of elasticity of at least 3 GPa, and has a ratio of the sum of (i) the volumes of the slots to (ii) the sum of the volumes of the pillars and the volumes of the slots of 0.40:1 to 0.90:1.

Abstract: Described is a multiple-camera system and process for detecting, tracking, and re-verifying agents within a materials handling facility. In one implementation, a plurality of feature vectors may be generated for an agent and maintained as an agent model representative of the agent. When the object being tracked as the agent is to be re-verified, feature vectors representative of the object are generated and stored as a probe agent model. Feature vectors of the probe agent model are compared with corresponding feature vectors of candidate agent models for agents located in the materials handling facility. Based on the similarity scores, the agent may be re-verified, it may be determined that identifiers used for objects tracked as representative of the agents have been flipped, and/or to determine that tracking of the object representing the agent has been dropped.

Abstract: An optical device, such as a diffuser, can include a substrate; and a diffuser surface, in which the diffuser surface has an index of refraction greater than about 1.8. A method of making and using the optical device is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved system for releasing beneficial mites and the use of such a system. Mite species that can be used beneficially for human purposes may for example be employed in the control of pests, such as in the field of agriculture, including agricultural production systems for plant products, agricultural production systems for animal products, and animal husbandry, or in the field of storage of food products. The system of the invention may find use in any of these fields.